Tallahassee, Fl. (April 27th, 2018) – Florida A&M looked to stay hot this Friday, hosting the Hornets of Alabama State University in the first of a three-game non-conference series.
The Hornets struck first, scoring in the top of the second inning. Josh Dunson drove in Cage Cox from third base with a groundout to third, giving the Hornets an early 1-0 lead.
They would add two runs in the fourth thanks in part to a Noel Cheneau double to left that scored Hunter Allen, who reached on an error. Cheneau then scored on a single up the middle by Joseph Estrada to make it a 3-0 game.
Noel Cheneau advanced from second to third on a throwing error by the pitcher on a pickoff attempt, and then scored on an error by the center fielder to give Alabama State a 4-0 lead after five and a half innings of play.
Alabama State would extend the lead again in the top of the seventh, as Gustavo Rios drove in Yamil Pagan with a sacrifice fly to center field to make it a 5-0 game.
The Rattlers finally got on the board in the bottom of the seventh. Jordan Curtis drove in Ty Russ from third base with a ground ball to shortstop, making it a 5-1 game after seven full innings of play.
The Hornets got the run back and then some in the eighth, as Hunter Phillips drove in Noel Cheneau with a double to left field to start the inning. Phillips then scored on a throwing error and Yamil Pagan drove in Joseph Estrada with a sacrifice fly to increase the Alabama State lead to 8-1.
FAMU shortened the lead in the ninth thanks to a solo homerun to left field by Octavien Moyer but that would be it for the Rattlers as they dropped game one by a final score of 8-2.
Thomas Nicoll suffered the loss (2-7) for the Rattlers, allowing four runs (one earned) through 6 innings while striking out seven batters. Josh Barr added 2 innings of relief and Pedro de los Rios threw a scoreless ninth.
Darrius Wright earned the win for Alabama State, allowing only one hit and one earned run in 6 innings. Channing Walker added 3 innings of relief, allowing one earned run.
The loss brings the Rattlers to a 19-23 record, and they will look to bounce back in game two of the series on Saturday, April 28th at Moore-Kittles Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM.
